Landing in Dublin for the first time? Whether it’s a quick stop on your Ireland itinerary or a solo city break, this compact and walkable capital makes it easy to dive into Irish history, culture, and pub life—all in just one day.

I’ll walk you through how to spend 48 hours in Dublin: where to stay, what to see, and where to eat, based on my own experience as a first-time visitor.

where to stay

I stayed at The Castle Hotel, a charming and walkable spot just north of O’Connell Street. It was close to everything—Trinity College, Temple Bar, the River Liffey—and gave easy access to both tourist hotspots and quieter local areas.

The hotel has cozy vibes, helpful staff, and a full Irish breakfast if you want to start your day like a local.

✈️ Getting into the city: Skip the pricey cab ride from the airport and hop on the Dublin Express. It’s just €10 one way or €15 round trip, and drops off near most central hotels. Just Google the nearest stop to your hotel so you don’t end up dragging luggage through the cobblestones.

Day 1: Iconic Sights & Pub Life

Morning/Afternoon: Book of Kells & Trinity College

Start your day early at Trinity College, home to Ireland’s most treasured manuscript, the Book of Kells. It’s a beautifully illustrated religious text from the 9th century—and your ticket also gives you access to the Long Room Library, which is as stunning in real life as it looks in every Pinterest photo. Rows of ancient books, high wooden ceilings, ladders…it’s basically the dream. Note: As of July 2025, there is restoration being doing in the long room, while you have access you will not see the row of books like you see on Pinterest.

Afternoon: 🍽️ Lunch: The Harry Lemon for Pub Grub & Cozy Vibes

For lunch, I stopped at The Harry Lemon, a local favorite. It’s casual, cozy,—with just the right mix of locals and tourists.

I ordered the fish and chips, which came out perfectly crisp and flaky, with a side of chunky fries. If you’re looking for a warm, welcoming place to refuel, this is it. And yes, I absolutely recommend saving room for dessert—the sticky toffee pudding here is rich, warm, and really good.

Afternoon: Castles, cathedrals, and cobblestones

After lunch, take a short walk to Dublin Castle, once the seat of British rule in Ireland. You can explore the grounds and check out the State Apartments if you have time.

Next, swing by St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the country’s largest church and a stunner inside and out. If the weather’s nice, relax in St. Stephen’s Green, a peaceful park just a few minutes away.

Check out the reel for Day 1

Day 2: Cliffs of Moher & Pub scene

Day trip: Cliffs of moher & Galway

Something you should not miss is a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher. These stunning cliffs are located 3.5 hours from Dublin, and make a great day trip. I booked my Cliffs of Moher tour with GetYourGuide, and included a stop to the Burren and Galway!

The drive to the cliffs is breathtaking, with lush green pastures and farm animals like cows and lambs :) if it’s rainy, you may also catch a rainbow.

Tip: Pack a coat with a hood, as you may encounter some rain (even in the summertime). The visibility may be hit or miss, check the forecast. You may encounter some clouds, but it can clear up, and you can enjoy these stunning cliff views.

Your entry to the Cliffs includes the vistors center. Spend about 1-2 hours exploring the area, taking pictures, and enjoying some shopping and snacks at the Cliffs. If you’re lucky you might see some flute players, playing some traditional Irish music. This tradition has been held for hundreds of year.

Lastly, enjoy a 2 hour visit to the seaside town of Galway. They have a colorful area, called the Latin Quarter. Spend time exploring the street arts, shops and food! If you are wanting an OG fish and chips experience, head over to McDongah’s.

Pubs

After a long travel day, if you’ve got it in you, I recommend you check out a local pub. I went for a Guinness Beef and Stew for dinner at Parnell’s pub near the city center. Afterwhich, I pent sometime explore the Temple Bar area for some live music, and of course you can enjoy some pints if that’s your thing.